CCC (Christchurch City Council)

The Council is proposing to single lane the stretch of Harewood Rd between the Bishopdale roundabout and Nunweek boulevard, and install cycle lanes.  Apparently the reason this section was chosen (as opposed to the horrible bit between Greers Rd and the roundabout) is partly because of funding allocated for the Breens Gardiners intersection improvements and the intermediate school bubble.

The project looks pretty good - shame about the bit closer to town!  There are some issues with cyclists wanting to do a right turn into the Bishopdale shops, but overall it looks OK.

Because of the amount of road space, the single lane-ing will result in the creation of a flush median on each side of raised centre median. There here may be an opportunity to dispense with this flush median, and instead provide some separation betwen the cycle lane and the vehicle lane, possibly through a flush median in this location instead.a photo of an example from Melbourne (courtesy of Glen) is attached.

A PDF of the consultation leaflet with a detailed plan of the project is attached.  Submissions close on 2 October at 5pm.  A draft submission is proposed as follows:

Dear ...

Thanks for the opportunity to make a submission on this special consultative procedure.  Spokes strongly supports the provision of cycle lanes along Harewood Road between Highsted Road and Nunweek Boulevard.  The project will assist local cyclists and school children, particularly those using the Breen's/ Gardiners Rd intersection.  

It is disappointing that cycle lanes are not being provided between the Highsted Road intersection roundabout and Greer's Road, as parking along on this dual carriageway section makes it extremely cycle unfriendly, particularly during periods of busy traffic.  As such, it tends to create a barrier for cyclists wishing to travel between this part of Bishopdale to Papanui and beyond.

Spokes considers that there are several areas where the proposed cycle lane project could be improved.   An issue with cycle lanes throughout the city is that often fail (at least in the minds of those using them) to provide sufficient separation between cyclists and passing cars, particularly when cars are parked on the inside of the lanes.  This situation can cause discomfit, and put off less experienced riders.   With the single lane-ing of Harewood Road,  the road is being narrowed by the provision of a flush median adjacent to the raised central median.  There is an opportunity to shift this median space away from the centre of the road and use it to provide additional separation between the cycle lane and other traffic.  This approach has been used for cycle lanes in both Australia and the USA, and we would urge its consideration for this project.  

There is currently no provision in the design for cyclists heading SE who wish to access Bishopdale Mall (and facilities such as the supermarket and the gym) at the Mall vehicular entrance and exist just before the roundabout (opposite No 330).  The design of this intersection does not appear to have been developed with cyclists in mind and would be be unfriendly and possibly dangerous, particularly with three lanes to cross.  The intersection design needs to be re-thought with cyclists in mind.

The crossing and refuges on Harewood Road just before the Bishopdale roundabout are the only means by which less confident cyclists can gain access to Bishopdale Mall from Highsted Road and vice versa.  The alternative is an intimidating trip around the multi-laned  roundabout, or a difficult crossing of Harewood Road at the Mall vehicle entrance and exit discussed above.  The profile of the crossing needs to be raised for cyclists, and a short section of cycle lane provided on the wide section of footpath on the corner of Harewood and Highsted Roads to provide safe access back on to Highsted Road at the Caltex entrance.  The bus shelter on Harewood Road outside the Caltex Station also needs to be moved as this currently blocks sightlines for pedestrians and cyclists using this crossing.

We would like to be heard in support of our submission.  Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries or require further information.

Cheers
Rob

Robin Delamore
Cycling Improvements convenor - Spokes

Four different consultations on inner city streetworks/ improvement projects are currently being undertaken at the moment, and submissions are due in over the next few weeks.  These projects are:

Regent Street parking - comments due by 5pm 19/08/09.  This is basically about controlling parking on New Regent St., but we need to ensure that cyclists will still be able to use the street.  Details are at:

http://www.ccc.govt.nz/HaveYourSay/ConsultationView.aspx?ConsultId=643

Deans Ave Parking and Safety Improvements - comments due 28/08/09.  This involves narrowing the road and providing parking along the section of Deans Ave between Riccarton and Moorhouse.  We need to ensure that these moves slow traffic, and don't make this route more dangerous for cycling.   Details are at:

http://www.ccc.govt.nz/HaveYourSay/ConsultationView.aspx?ConsultId=645

Hereford Street upgrade - comments due 02/ 09/ 2009.  This is a very interesting proposal to partially narrow and "slow " Hereford Street between Oxford Tce and Manchester St.  No separate provision for cyclists (other than stands), but looks like a potential improvement as long as traffic speeds are actually lowered. Details are at:

http://www.ccc.govt.nz/HaveYourSay/ConsultationView.aspx?ConsultId=647

Oxford Street traffic changes - comments due 09/09/2009.  This involves reversing the one way direction of part of Oxford St along "the Strip", making it two directional south of Cashel St., and providing a turn in and pedestrian refuge off Durham St.  Potentially an opportunity to improve off-street cycling faciltities in the area. Details are at:

http://www.ccc.govt.nz/HaveYourSay/ConsultationView.aspx?ConsultId=635

CCC are consulting over two options for the final section of the Little River Rail Trail into the old Little River railway station. One route (Option 1) follows on from the existing temporary trail which ends at Kinloch Road, and runs parallel to and on the west side of the State Highway (SH) into Little River with a crossing over the SH to the station. Option 2 involves an underpass of the SH near the Little River hotel, and then pretty much follows the old railway formation east of the SH through to the Station. The Rail Trail trust favour Option 2, the Community Board like Option 1.

Option 2 appears to have several advantages: it removes the need for a crossing over the SH and has greater separation from the SH than the existing section of Option 1, and it more or less follows the historic line of the old railway. However, retention of the existing path to Kinloch Road would be a good idea if Option 2 proceeds as would give access from the Rail Trail to Kinloch Rd for those cyclists venturing up to Bossu Rd via Reynolds Valley, and/ or doing the Birdlings Flat circuit.

The council leaflet with a plan of the two options is attached below.

Jellie Park includes several combined walking and cycle paths which link schools and residential areas on both sides of the park.  The draft management plan proposes the following actions:

"Paths / cycleways
Widen the two path / cycleway routes linking Greers Road & Ilam Road and realign the links to Truman Road & Chateau Drive. Add a minor pedestrian route connecting areas 9, 3 and 4. Improve the linkage from the schools on Ilam Road to Truman Road.
...
Remove duplicate paths"

These measures sound sensible - however, it is not clear from the plan exactly where the improvements will be carried out.  

One of the paths through Jellie Park also forms part of the CCC cycling route 9.  Currently this is poorly signposted and confusing to use, and the opportunity should be taken to identify this route through the park, and also where it crosses Ilam and Greers Rds.  It may also be appropriate to improve the crossings on these roads. 

A copy of the draft managment plan is attached below.  Submissions close on 27 July at 5pm.

These plans set out proposals for the managment of public lands around Brooklands Lagoon. They contain a lot of interesting information about the area but the key issue from a cycling presepctive is the proposed combined mountain bike and walking path fom Spencer Park to the Brooklands settlement near the mouth of the Styx River.

This path would provide an important linkage between cycle paths from north Brighton through Bottle Lake Park and the rough but cycleable route down the Waimakariri River stopbanks from McLeans island which is proposed to be upgraded as part of the development of the Waimakariri Regional Park.

Generally a promising proposal overall, and one worth supporting.

The masterplan is attached below. The management plans can be obtained from Councils consultation website at: